Easy-access shower base assembly

Abstract

An easy access shower base assembly is disclosed which generally comprises a shower base, a ramp, and clips for attaching the ramp to the shower base. The shower base comprises a basin, a generally horizontal front ledge at the front of the basin, with a lip depending downwardly from the front edge of the ledge, and a generally horizontal boundary ledge, vertically higher than the front ledge. The ramp has a thin front edge and a thicker back edge, the thickness of the back edge being less than the height of the lip. The ramp is substantially the same length as the front ledge and the back edge of the ramp is generally even with the front ledge of the shower base. The ramp extends angularly downward from the back edge to the thin front edge. Also in the preferred embodiment, the shower base assembly further comprises at least one water trap for collecting water from the boundary ledge and for causing the collected water to drain into the basin of the shower base.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An easy-access shower base assembly adapted to replace an existing bath tub, comprising: a shower base comprising: a rectangular basin substantially the same size as a conventional bath tub, the basin having a bottom surface, a front, a back, vertical sides extending from said bottom surface, and drain opening adjacent one end, the bottom surface of the basin sloping gradually toward the drain opening;   a generally horizontal front ledge at the front of the basin, with a lip depending downwardly from the front edge of the ledge; and   a generally horizontal boundary ledge, vertically higher than the front ledge, surrounding the basin at the sides and the back;     a ramp, substantially the same length as the front ledge, for providing access to the basin over the front ledge, the ramp having a thin front edge and a thicker back edge, the thickness of the back edge being less than the height of the lip; and   means for securing the ramp to the shower base and for supporting the back edge of the ramp in an elevated position so that the top of the back edge of the ramp is generally even with the front ledge, with a space below the back edge of the ramp and in front of the lip to accommodate the thickness of a floor covering.   
     
     
       2. The shower base assembly of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises at least one clip for retaining the back edge of the ramp against the lip of the shower base. 
     
     
       3. The shower base assembly of claim 2 wherein the clip comprises means for securing itself to the lip, a support for elevating and supporting the back edge of the ramp, and retention means for preventing the back edge of the ramp from moving away from the lip of the shower base. 
     
     
       4. The shower base assembly of claim 3 wherein the lip securing means comprises a substantially U-shaped clip section, and the support comprises a shelf projecting from the U-shaped clip section and the means for retention comprise a clip extending upwardly from the shelf. 
     
     
       5. The shower base assembly of claim 1 wherein the assembly further comprises at least one water trap for collecting water from the boundary ledge and for causing the collected water to drain into the basin of the shower base. 
     
     
       6. The shower base of claim 5 wherein there are two water traps formed in the boundary ledge on the sides of the basin adjacent the front ledge. 
     
     
       7. The shower base assembly of claim 6 wherein the water traps are notches formed in the boundary ledge on the sides of the basin. 
     
     
       8. An easy-access shower base assembly adapted to replace an existing bath tub, comprising: a shower base comprising: a rectangular basin substantially the same size as a conventional bath tub, the basin having a bottom surface, a front, a back, vertical sides extending from said bottom surface, and drain opening adjacent one end, the bottom surface of the basin sloping gradually toward the drain opening;   a generally horizontal front ledge at the front of the basin, with a lip depending downwardly from the front edge of the ledge; and   a generally horizontal boundary ledge, vertically higher than the front ledge, surrounding the basin at the sides and the back;     a ramp, connected to the shower base and substantially the same length as the front ledge, for providing access to the basin over the front ledge, the ramp having a thin front edge and a thicker back edge, the thickness of the back edge being less than the height of the lip; and   at least one clip for securing the ramp to the lip, and for supporting the back edge of the lip in an elevated position so that the back edge of the ramp is generally even with the front ledge, with a space below the back edge of the ramp and in front of the lip to accommodate the thickness of a floor covering.   
     
     
       9. The shower base assembly of claim 8 wherein the clip comprises means for securing itself to the lip, a support for elevating and supporting the back edge of the ramp, and retention means for preventing the back edge of the ramp from moving away from the lip of the shower base. 
     
     
       10. The shower base assembly of claim 9 wherein the lip securing means comprises a substantially U-shaped clip section, and the support and the means for retention comprise a substantially J-shaped clip section. 
     
     
       11. An easy-access shower base assembly adapted to replace an existing bath tub, comprising: a shower base comprising: a rectangular basin substantially the same size as a conventional bath tub, the basin having a bottom surface, a front, a back, vertical sides extending from said bottom surface, and drain opening adjacent one end, the bottom surface of the basin sloping gradually toward the drain opening;   a generally horizontal front ledge at the front of the basin, with a lip depending downwardly from the front edge of the ledge; and   a generally horizontal boundary ledge, vertically higher than the front ledge, surrounding the basin at the sides and the back;     a ramp, substantially the same length as the front ledge, for providing access to the basin over the front ledge, the ramp having a thin front edge and a thicker back edge, the thickness of the back edge being less than the height of the lip;   means for securing the ramp to the shower base and for supporting the back edge of the ramp in an elevated position so that the top of the back edge of the ramp is generally even with the front ledge, with a space below the back edge of the ramp and in front of the lip to accommodate the thickness of a floor covering; and   at least two water traps for collecting water from the boundary ledge and for causing the collected water to drain into the basin of the shower base.   
     
     
       12. The shower base assembly of claim 11 wherein the water traps are notches formed in the boundary ledge on the sides of the basin. 
     
     
       13. The shower base of claim 12 wherein the water traps are formed in the boundary ledge on the sides of the basin adjacent the front ledge. 
     
     
       14. The shower base assembly of claim 13 wherein the securing means comprises at least one clip.